Basic MSA1500cs setup and understanding

[Scott DVMC]

I recently purchased an MSA1500cs with dual controllers, dual FC I/O modules, 2 MSA30s, 1 MSA20 (all fully populated), 2 additional SCSI I/O modules and 2 Edge 2/24 switches so everything will be redundant for failover. I have several servers to attach to the SAN for user data and database applications and had a few questions. I have read the documentation on configuring the the MSA and switches but am confused as to the best and easiest way to set it up.
1. Are the switches ready to use by default or is there special considerations other than port naming and such?
2. Do I need to consider zoning if I keep them separated?
3. What is the best way to get the performance from my database server that will be attached to it?
4. Is there a site I can go to to get a good understanding of how a SAN should be setup?
There is a lot of new terminlogy to get familiar with so I'll be researching what I can but need a little push.
Thanks for your time, Scott

[Favad Ahmed_1]

have you read the san design guide?
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual&locale=en_US&docIndexId=179911&taskId=101&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=406734

[Steven Clementi]

Scott:

1. I believe you need to configure some zoning on McData switches before your hosts will see any storage arrays. (sounds like you have McData anyway, if not... please mention which model you have in more detail)

2. You should always use zoning.

3. Separate your log files from your database files in separate disk Arrays. Use more disks in the array that will host your database.

4. Already mentioned.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. Or even search the forums for other similar solutions.

Don't forget to award points to those replays you feel help, even in the smallest way. And don't forget to close your question when you feel you have enough information to move on to the next topic or issue.


Steven

[Scott DVMC]

I read that document along with many other equipment manuals. Unfortunately, they seem to walk one through the basic mechanics and not the theory of the whole experience.
I was able to get past my primary problem late yesterday and am on to configuring the MSA1500cs itself. It had to do with zoning on the switches, as you mentioned, or the lack thereof. Thank you for the database advise also.
I am still looking for some websites that might help with a newbies education of how to setup a SAN well. I saw a couple in reading thru this forum.

[Uwe Zessin]

Unfortunately, there is such thing as "a SAN". You cannot buy "a SAN" with a single order number. It is almost always a custom solution with lots of different widgets from different vendors. HP has at least half a dozen storage arrays, some of them inherited from companies like DEC and Compaq. There are 4 or 5 switch vendors involved at different places - some on fabric level, some embedded. Same for the Fibre Channel adapters, the servers, the operating systems...

[Scott DVMC]

I seem to be getting through it although its a bit more convoluted than I expected. I'm just trying to get an idea of a good to setup the arrays to accept multiple servers using a single or multiple LUNs for the best performance.